Chapter 252

Chapter 252
Doria's POV

The tension in the hall seemed to solidify the air itself. Solan suddenly stepped back from Millicent, putting distance between them. His jaw tightened as he addressed the guards standing at attention.

"Take Millicent to the dungeon," he barked. "Let her experience the price of betrayal firsthand."

His gaze suddenly fell on me, as if just remembering my presence. He pointed a finger in my direction, his expression hardening. "And that one too. I'm tired of looking at their faces."

The guard standing behind me grabbed my arm roughly, yanking me to my feet. Another guard moved to Millicent, helping her up with less gentleness than her age deserved. Despite the obvious bruise forming on her cheek, Millicent held her head high, refusing to show any sign of weakness.

The guards ushered us out of the room and toward the lower levels of the fortress. We descended a narrow staircase, our footsteps echoing against the stone walls. The air grew colder and damper with each step downward.

Eventually, we reached a corridor lined with cells. Each had only a small ventilation opening near the ceiling. During daylight, I imagined a weak stream of light might filter through, but at night, only wall-mounted torches illuminated the suffocating space.

In the flickering torchlight, I noticed a figure in the cell directly across from where we were being led. My heart skipped a beat when I recognized Adrian. He was alive, but much thinner than when I'd last seen him at court, his hair disheveled, but his amber eyes remained as sharp as ever.

He quickly assessed Millicent and me, and I could almost see his mind piecing together what had happened. The guards pushed us into the cell opposite his, which contained nothing but a stone bench and a bowl of water.

Millicent immediately walked to the bench and sat down while I lingered near the bars, trying to get a better look at Adrian through the narrow gaps.

As soon as the guards locked the door and left, I turned toward Adrian, but before I could speak, Millicent began complaining loudly.

"After everything I've done for him, this is how he treats me," she spat. "I should have listened to my instincts. I always knew he lacked the courage required of a kingdom's leader..."

I listened for a moment, realizing she was mostly talking to herself, then turned my attention back to Adrian.

His eyes met mine, and he lowered his voice to avoid being overheard. "How did you end up here? Where's Elenna?"

I explained how I had come to Millicent's estate as Elenna's handmaid, and how Aurelian had been able to confirm this was the rebel stronghold.

"Did he bring an army?" Adrian asked, his face tense with concern.

I shook my head. "It was mostly a reconnaissance mission."

Adrian frowned. "Regular scouts could have managed that."

"She blocked the borders. Only the King was allowed in." I indicated Millicent.

Adrian shook his head. "Finding the stronghold and reporting back would have been enough."

"Finding the stronghold was only half the mission," I revealed.

Adrian's eyes narrowed as he studied me. "What do you mean? What other objective did the King have?"

"The other half was a rescue mission," I replied.

Surprise flickered across his face. "Me?"

I couldn't help but smile slightly. "Did you think King Aurelian and Elenna wouldn't try to rescue their chief advisor and friend?"

"...Friend?" Adrian repeated the word as if testing an unfamiliar concept.

I nodded, then explained what had happened since his capture—how Aurelian had rejected Arielle and dismantled the harem, keeping only Elenna by his side.

Adrian seemed satisfied to hear Aurelian had finally embraced his feelings for Elenna. He appeared genuinely surprised to be considered a friend, having always seen himself merely as a useful assistant.

"I'm glad to hear he didn't marry Arielle," Adrian said.

"So am I," I agreed. "Both the King and Elenna would have been miserable otherwise."

My expression grew worried. "But I'm concerned. They mentioned a hunt in progress, with Elenna as the prey?"

Millicent interrupted from her bench. "Elenna is poison to the rebellion. It was my honor to remove her."

Adrian's face darkened as he considered the implications. He glanced up at the ventilation opening in his cell, concentrating as if listening for distant sounds.

After a moment, his expression changed. "I can hear them—roars from various species. She's still alive. The hunt isn't over."

Through the cacophony of howls, Adrian seemed to recognize one distinct roar. His eyes gleamed with determination. "Now is the time to act."

Elenna's POV

I ran with everything I had, but my human legs were no match for the four powerful limbs of the creatures pursuing me. The roars were getting closer, coming from multiple directions. There was no safe path to take.

The mud Aurelian had smeared on me might have masked some of my scent, but there was no hiding the smell of fear and sweat that now poured from me.

I desperately wished for Aurelian's presence, his protection. I began to slow down, wondering if I could hide again. But looking around, there was nothing like the rock hollow that had concealed me before.

What do I do? Where do I go? It's a dead end everywhere.

Another howl cut through the night, closer than the others, sending shivers down my spine. I realized I was moments away from being discovered, but I wouldn't surrender without a fight.

I picked up a stone, preparing to throw it. Maybe this would buy me enough time for Aurelian to find me.

Suddenly, a wolf leaped from the underbrush, stopping right in front of me. Seeing me, it let out a low growl.

I immediately threw the stone, aiming precisely, but the agile wolf easily jumped aside, letting the stone fall harmlessly to the ground.

Panicking, I crouched down, desperately searching for anything else I could use to defend myself.

At the same moment, the wolf lunged toward me, aiming for my throat.